title: Evaluation of the coagglutination test for the identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in primary cultures.
abstract: The coagglutination (COA) test for the identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was compared with immunofluorescence and sugar degradation tests on 1710 gonococcal isolates, 72 of which produce beta-lactamase. The COA test gave a positive result for 98.6% of the strains. Treatment of suspensions with Streptomyces enzyme reduced the incidence of inconclusive results due to autoagglutination to 1.2%. Cross-reactivity of the gonococcal antiserum was minimised by absorption with meningococci and Moraxella species. The COA provide a simple, quick, and reliable method for identifying N gonorrhoeae in culture.
mesh_terms: D000372:Agglutination Tests / Q000379:methods; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism